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MG TD TF 1500 - Telescoping Steering Wheel

Hello Everyone,

I am reassembling my 51 TD, and found that the small splined shaft from the steering wheel is _very_ difficult to insert into the longer steering column. It was hard to remove, but I figured after I cleaned it up, it would be fine.

It is my understanding that this should slide in and out pretty easily. Some guys even complain it won't stay put.

Seems almost like I have the wrong shaft or wrong splines or something.

Anyone have some ideas?

Thanks,
dan
Dan Gill

Dan,

I recently had to remove my steering column to extract the sliding shaft that was jammed due to a collision and years of undisturbed use. I brushed the interior splines with a brass brush. Then I made a large plastic cup full of muriatic acid and soaked the end of the shaft for about one half hour. Then neutralized with baking soda and water followed by a good rinse. My new shaft, from Moss then slid in place smoothly with ample grease.


Good luck,

Jim Haskins 1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

I have a very good used one with nut and coffin shaped key.
Contact off line
esane@msn.com
Sandy

Do you have a picture of the shaft? The TD shaft is pretty unique.
Hugh
H.D. Pite

Here is a photo of the shaft/Key/and nut. Due to light surface ruse I lightly wire brushed them


Sandy

AS far as I can see that is definitely the correct shaft. If it is too tight then have a look at the internal splines on the steering column.
Cheers, Hugh
H.D. Pite

Gently wedge open the split in the column where the clamp goes. I have seen them knocked about until it closes up.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

I cleaned up the splines on the steering wheel shaft, and low and behold it only goes in about 2 inches, then gets really stuck. I bent open the slot where the clamp goes and it goes in really easy to the 2 inch mark.

I got my barrel cam and fed it in there, and wouldn't you see, the splines only go 2 inches in!

Big question, what do I have then? SHouldn't there be splines all the way back, 5 or 6 inches?

/dan

TD5751
Dan Gill

Dan,

As I said above I brushed the interior splines with a brass brush. It is a small brass brush that looks like an overgrown tooth brush. As I recall the brush went almost all the way in (about 6 inches). Could only brush in and out. Splines kept brush from turning. For this reason I think the splines go in more than two inches. After the acid cleaning everything worked satisfactorily so I did not investigate further.

Keep plugging! I have had the car for thirteen years before I got mine to slide.


Regards,

Jim Haskins 1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2015 and 01/11/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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